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Book tickets for horticulture’s party of the year!

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Book tickets for horticulture’s party of the year!: Party for Perennial this spring at your charity party of the year! Let’s come together to make a difference for all those working with plants, trees, flowers or grass.

Gather your friends and colleagues from across the industry and mark your calendars for Thursday 9 May, 7pm at Core Bar, London. Get ready for an evening buzzing with camaraderie, excitement and generosity in support of Perennial, the charity helping people in horticulture.

Book tickets for horticulture’s party of the year!

Book tickets for horticulture’s party of the year!

In the charity’s 185th year, the fundraiser, proudly sponsored by Core Landscape Products, is a memorable way to dig deep for your industry peers while making new connections and catching up with familiar faces. The ticket price of £35 includes bubbles on arrival and some delicious nibbles, plus the chance to win some great prizes in the Party for Perennial raffle.

“Phil and the team at Perennial play a vital role in our industry. We have been big supporters of the charity for the last few years and try to help wherever we can. Party for Perennial is always a great night out and with the chosen venue being called ‘CORE’ it just made sense to sponsor this fantastic event,” says Manni Keates, Managing Director of CORE Landscape Products.

Anita Bates, Perennial’s Director of Marketing and Fundraising comments: “Our popular annual party is a highly rewarding evening spent with friends and colleagues and an entertaining way to help us raise money to support more people in horticulture. Every time our Perennial Partners and supporters buy a ticket and dig deep, people and their families have a chance to build better lives. Whether taking on a Milestone challenge in May or hosting a fundraising event, your wholehearted efforts all year make a difference in the ways we can help. It’s only through growing our partnerships with businesses and organisations that we can reach more people in need. Tickets are on sale now, so please put the date in your diary and join us!”

Perennial knows only too well that times are tough, particularly amidst the current cost of living crisis. Consequently, there’s been a significant 21% increase in individuals seeking personal support. The charity’s online tools have also become more important with a 27% increase in people in need accessing digital resources.

There are lots of reasons why people turn to the charity, such as bereavement, the impact of an accident, health issues or a family breakdown. As the only UK charity helping everyone working in or retired from horticulture and their families, Perennial relies on support from the industry.

All proceeds from Party for Perennial ticket sales and raffle help support people in need. Every time Perennial’s supporters dig deep, they make a difference to the lives of people in horticulture and their families.

Let’s make this an unforgettable event while making a positive impact in our community!

Book tickets and join the fundraising at www.perennial.org.uk/party

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Green-tech celebrates Ten Years of Membership with GRO

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Green-tech celebrates Ten Years of Membership with GRO: This year marks the tenth anniversary as a member of the esteemed Green Roof Organisation (GRO). This milestone highlights Green-tech’s ongoing commitment to sustainable practices and green infrastructure within the landscaping industry.

GRO serves as a hub for professionals dedicated to promoting the benefits and advancements of green roofs and green infrastructure. Through advocacy, education, and collaboration, GRO plays a pivotal role in shaping industry standards and fostering innovation.

Green-tech celebrates Ten Years of Membership with GRO

Green-tech celebrates Ten Years of Membership with GRO

Mark Wood, Business Development Director at Green-tech, expressed his thoughts on this significant achievement, saying, “Joining GRO was a pivotal decision for Green-tech, aligning with our core values of sustainability and environmental responsibility. Over the past decade, our partnership with GRO has provided invaluable insights, resources, and networking opportunities that have empowered us to lead the way in green infrastructure solutions.”

He continues, “As we commemorate this milestone, we remain steadfast in our commitment to driving positive change in the landscaping sector. Together with GRO and our industry partners, we will continue to champion the adoption of green roofs and environmentally friendly practices, contributing to a greener and more sustainable future.”

Green-tech’s dedication to sustainability extends beyond its membership with GRO. The company offers a comprehensive range of environmentally friendly products and solutions, including biodegradable tree shelters, water management solutions, erosion control, and habitat creation, to support green infrastructure projects of all scales.

For more information about Green-tech and its sustainable landscaping solutions, visit www.green-tech.co.uk or speak to the Green-tech team on 01423 332100.

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MM60 Grass Seed: A Grassroots Success Story

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MM60 Grass Seed: A Grassroots Success Story: In the world of football, the quality of the playing surface can make a significant difference in the game’s outcome and the overall experience for players and spectators alike.

While top-tier stadiums often boast pristine pitches, grassroots clubs often struggle to attain the same level of excellence due to budget constraints and limited resources.

MM60 Grass Seed: A Grassroots Success Story

MM60 Grass Seed: A Grassroots Success Story

However, Charlestown Football Club, a youth football club nestled in the heart of St Austell, Cornwall, has defied this norm. Thanks to the leading MM60 grass seed their pitches have undergone a remarkable transformation, setting a new standard for grassroots football.

Charlestown Football Club, established in 1972 is a vibrant community hub with over 300 registered players aged between 5 and 16. The club prides itself on providing a nurturing environment for both boys and girls to foster their love for the beautiful game. From organising annual summer tournaments that draw teams from across Cornwall to running the Mini Soccer Centre at St Mewan Park since 2006, Charlestown FC is committed to nurturing grassroots football talent.

MM60 grass seed, renowned for its exceptional quality and performance in professional stadiums, found its way to Charlestown FC, courtesy of David Bevan from Agrovista Amenity – a distributor of MM grass seed. A 100% Ryegrass formula boasting high disease resistance, rapid germination, and superior aesthetic qualities, MM60 has proven to be a game-changer for Charlestown FC’s pitches. Enhanced by Headstart® GOLD treatment, this grass seed ensures not just fast germination but also robust establishment, even under challenging conditions.

David’s journey with Charlestown FC began when his son joined the club and has since become a coach. Recognising the opportunity to contribute his expertise, David became instrumental in advising the club on pitch maintenance and renovation. Leveraging his professional knowledge, David spearheaded the adoption of MM60 for the club’s pitches, emphasising the importance of investing in top-quality resources, regardless of the level of play.

“I worked on the theory that just because it is a youth football club, why shouldn’t they use the best grass seed there is and that is why I went with MM60,” said David. “Personally, I think it is the best winter sports mixture you can get. Because of the huge amount of play the pitches receive, getting sward density consistent over all of them was primarily the main reason for going with MM60. It is really hard wearing, fast germinating and I know it is quick to establish.”

As the Chairman of Charlestown FC, James Hutchings has witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of MM60 grass seed on the club’s pitches. Under David’s guidance, the club embarked on a comprehensive renovation project, reaping the rewards of their investment in the superior grass seed.

James emphasised the invaluable role David and Agrovista Amenity have played in maximising the club’s grant funding.

“As a club we have been extremely pleased with the service David and Agrovista Amenity have provided us with. David’s advice has been a bit of a godsend, and he has come along at the right time. We’ve had work done in the past but not to the level which David has been able to advise us on. Last year he took soil samples and checked the density and supplied us with MM60. It was put down at the end of May and quickly after we were seeing the benefits.

“We are very fortunate to have a very dedicated team of volunteers and we are all in agreement that it has been worth the investment. We want the pitches looking and playing on-point as much as possible. Parents have been commenting positively on how fresh everything looks, and visiting teams are asking how we are managing to have so much grass on the pitch.”

By using MM60 grass seed, Charlestown FC has set a new standard for pitch quality and performance at grassroots level. As other clubs aspire to emulate their success, Charlestown FC is proving that with passion, dedication, and the right resources, every football pitch can be one to be proud of.

For further information, please contact DLF UK on 01386 719758 or visit the MM website www.mm-seeds.co.uk.

You can also follow the company on Twitter: @MM_Seed

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Two Toro powerhouses for Pangbourne

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Two Toro powerhouses for Pangbourne: Pangbourne College is one of the first customers to snap up the latest powerhouse from Toro to tackle all terrains: the new Toro Workman UTX 4×4 utility vehicle. Joining it is Toro Groundsmaster 4300 rotary mower to lead the venue’s growing fleet of machines.

Head groundsman Ian Osbon says the Toro machines are an ongoing investment he’s proud to make in the grounds maintenance of the 234 acre independent school which includes hockey, rugby and cricket pitches as well as woodlands and gardens in Berkshire.

Two Toro powerhouses for Pangbourne

Two Toro powerhouses for Pangbourne

From the moment Ian arrived in 2010, he was faced with projects requiring machinery muscle including levelling out the grounds and incorporating new drainage systems: “It’s been so important to get the right machinery,” he says. “I had a few machines that weren’t strong enough for our needs.”

Determined not to face similar issues going forward, Ian opted for Toro’s robust four-wheel drive, full-sized utility vehicle which has 25 percent more cargo capacity than that of others in its class and a towing capacity of up to 2000lbs.

Ian comments: “I was instantly impressed with the machine’s strength and stamina. The electric tipper is noticeably stronger than the piston system we had in our previous utility vehicle which wasn’t strong enough for grounds maintenance. It has great manoeuvrability for working in our woodlands and getting around tree stumps and logs, but with the option of higher RPMs it’s powerful enough to haul heavier loads up hills and inclines and get over wet areas and hillsides easily.”

First up on the Workman UTX’s to-do list is helping out with a wildflower meadows project, landscaping and lots of planting, explains Ian: “We have big plans for our wildflower meadows and there are beds, borders, rewilding and planting work to do too, as well as transporting tools and lugging soil. The UTX ticks all the boxes for getting this work done.”

Plus, it’s road-ready, which Ian says has been convenient for the multi-site venue: “It’s been so handy being able to tow and transport to the school a little way away.”

Also involved in the order with distributor Reesink Turfcare is Toro’s Grandmaster 4300 rotary mower, which after proving itself to Ian and his team of three over five years of leasing it, Ian has decided to buy.

“Originally, I wanted a cylinder mower, but I knew the grounds here wouldn’t suit it, we’d risk ruining the blades, so we went down the rotary route,” he explains. “It was the right thing to do for both productivity and cost savings for maintenance and servicing.”

But it’s not just Ian and his team who approve of the Toro machines, the students’ parents do too! “Sport is a major aspect of life at college and there are students on high performance pathways,” explains Ian. “We’ve got the cricket square up to the same level of any professional cricket club and it’s good for the parents to see where investment into the college goes. When we have sporting events or open days and line up all the machines so they can see, the dads are always asking if they can have a go!”

To see how Toro grounds machinery can benefit your venue, call Reesink Turfcare on 01480 226800 or visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk.

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GMA NextGen Inspires Youngsters at Schools into Stadia

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GMA NextGen Inspires Youngsters at Schools into Stadia: As part of #GroundsWeek 2024, the organisation’s annual awareness campaign, the GMA’s newly refreshed NextGen (previously Young Board of Directors) hosted a Schools into Stadia event at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol on Tuesday 19 March.

The Schools into Stadia programme aims to showcase grounds management as a viable career pathway for young people in education. With support from the GMA, Reesink Turfcare and Bristol Bears Foundation, GMA NextGen member Jack Langley hosted the event which offered youngsters local to Bristol the opportunity to gain valuable experience and provide the group with a deeper understanding of what duties a groundsperson undertakes in their role.

GMA NextGen Inspires Youngsters at Schools into Stadia

GMA NextGen Inspires Youngsters at Schools into Stadia

A group of students were invited along to the home of Bristol City FC and Bristol Bears to take part in theoretical and practical learning. The group was split into two, with one half guided through an interactive theory session which touched on the various forms of grass seed, how it grows, and how to keep it healthy. The other group were taken onto the pitch and given the opportunity to interact with the various pieces of kit, even having a go at line-marking the pitch and deepening their knowledge of various day-to-day tasks a grounds person undertakes.

GMA Key Account Manager for football, Tom Rowley, then delivered a careers presentation to the group, highlighting the various pathways into the industry.
NextGen new recruit Jack Langley, Deputy Head Groundsman at Ashton Gate said:

“Inviting young people along to my place of work to give them a flavour of what a career in grounds can look like has been extremely rewarding, especially as some of the attendees have shown an interest in returning to experience work on a match day.

Within my new role as part of GMA NextGen, I’m keen to shine a spotlight on the industry and encourage more young people to join.”

Geoff Webb, Grounds Management Association’s CEO commented:

“The schools into stadia events always inspire. To work with sporting venues such as Ashton Gate and tap into the community schemes that engage young people and bring opportunities to work in sports turf is always rewarding. The insights these days bring puts our sector and profession into focus as a great career option.”

Following a day of learning, one of the students in attendance said:

“It was so interesting to see what goes on behind the scenes at a large stadium. I enjoyed learning more about the equipment and using the line marking machine.”

Following another successful School into Stadia event, the GMA NextGen with support from sponsor Reesink Turfcare will continue to raise the profile of the industry and work to inspire young people by hosting more events and activations across the country.

#GroundsWeek took place from 18 – 24 March 2024. Keep an eye on GMA social media channels to find out more about its NextGen.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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